Poudre School District Superintendent Sandra Smyser voiced her support for district teachers’ plans to march at the Capitol on Friday at Tuesday’s school board meeting.

Teachers’ actions are a logical result of underfunding, Smyser said, and she supports teachers who used paid time off to lobby at the Capitol.

Her comments came after teachers and parents expressed disappointment with a letter Smyser sent out April 20 announcing school would be canceled Friday due to the number of teachers who had asked for the day off.

"PSD often leads conversations throughout the state regarding the need for additional K-12 funding," Smyser's letter read. "While I understand and respect our teachers’ desire to advocate for changes on this issue, it is unfortunate this action comes during the school day and impacts our students."

“A few of you have expressed hurt at my tone in my letter to the community,” Smyser said Tuesday. “That was never my intent.”

The board also passed a resolution supporting teachers’ decision to participate in demonstrations.

Several teachers and one parent came to the board meeting to express their thoughts on Smyser's letter.

Todd Forkner, a language arts teacher at Fossil Ridge High School, said he was disappointed in Smyser’s use of words such as “unfortunate” and “regret” in communications about the demonstrations. He recommended the board share the resolution and Smyser’s comments with teachers and parents beyond sharing Tuesday's meeting minutes.

“It would make a lot of teachers and parents very happy,” Forkner said.